Fire extinguisher



Aug'. 21, 1945.

R. C. IDDINGS ETAL FIRE "EXTINGUISHER original Filed March 9, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet `1` Fig WM. ....5 4 llll :INM l.. w l w wey/Wm v n C/ Z 8 `/0 n m M A M 1M, mw. OU i 6 Aug? 2l, l945- R. c. IDDlNcs ETAL v 2,383,129

` FIRE EXTINGUISHER Original Filed March S 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.;

Patentedl Aug. 21,` 11945 n, :2,383,129 a 11 v riannxrueuisnna v "Roscoe Caldding-sylidwar R. Bork, andrlorace` G.-Wxll1ams, Dayton, Ohio, assignors to The i Fyr-Fyter Company, Dayton, (ihio,` a corpora- `Continuation of application Serial No. l152,842, i

`Mai-ch 9', 1942. f-This application `July 29,` 1944,

Serial No.f .541.113 v a n, a @Claimsi @etwa-33) This invention relates towiire extinguishers of the liquid pump type.

y It is the `principal z objectn `of provide a l portable fire extinguisher-of `the liquid pump type which `canbeiirianuiactured` easilyj and eiliciently, which is` `made of `readily available eand inexpensive mat'erialawhlch is readily portable,

and whichoperates rapidly and eil'ectively to4 discharge `the `:lire extinguishing liquid in the 'form of a sprayas desired. f, f

It is a further. object toprovide an vextinguisher capable of receiving' severe `and 4rough treatment,` which willlnot beladversely allected as to itsoperability even Whenallowed to `stand `idleffover long `periods of time;` and which eliminates the requirement orthe'use of any substantial quantitiesof `corrosition resisting material such i as brass orthelike` o A i i thev invention to VIt is a further object ftoprovide a liquid pump `construction which islmade primarily ofsteel or other ferrous metal the surface ofwhch isfully `protected Vagainst corrosition o1'` rustinglcy` a coating of enamel or the like infwhich the enameled parts are `properly supported againstsuch possible ,mishandling' as might result in `the fracture or damage ofthe enamel coating. i Y A, 1 AIt isalsoanobject to provide a reextinguisher in` which certain `partsnsuch as the pump cylinder and piston are' given la coating-.of non-.rusting material such` as enamel and in which ,ftheiassemblediextinguisher islproperly` protected at all of its exposedparts, and at.` the jointsagainstrust andi-corrosion andzin which proper working `contact of; the pump mechanism with theenameled surface of the pump cylinder isprovided for. Itisa further obiecttogprovide are extinguisherhavinga liquid pump in which thepump cylinder isianchored at both ends tolbe securely supported againstr'rnovement such as might result ,n in misalignmerrtforfdamage to thefsurface thereof against which the piston'movesand in which the `piston `is guided inits movementamd` prevented end provided lwith-lan open curved Y, top,` the extinguisher having an elongated flexiblefhose,car` rying a nozzleat one `end`, t h"e.flexibleportionof the hose-,being adaptedtobe received in the open curved top of `the handle `and yieldingly retained therein,` and in, which the upper en d is also arranged withan enlarged lling opening adjacent to the side thereof covered by a removableclosure member of simple and yet easily work-ablefconstructionpwA i i i Otherobjects and advantages will be apparent.V t from the -accompanying drawings, thefollowing description and the appendedclaims.

In the drawings,

Fig. lis a view inverticalfsectionthrougha iireextinguisher constructed Vin accordance with` 10 the present invention;

iliig.` 2 is a broken sectionalview on an enlarged scale showing 4the pump mechanismof `the extinguisher; i i l Fig. 3 is a top plan view looking "fat-.the `upper end o f the extinguisher; and n i a l Fig. 4 is'an inverted plan view looking upwardly` at the Vunderside o fthetop@ cover of the extinf guisher; 2

This application application Serial No. 433,842, filed Marchi),

l Heretofore inthe `production ofyire` extinguishers, and' particularly. extinguishers of` the i liquid pump type, it has been customary lto provide av nonrusting casing,-made out `of brass or other similar non-ferrousimaterial, andto fabricate the pump and 1 its associated Operating mechanism largely of` similar non-ferrous metal. `Such construction wasA utilized to overcome the effect of the water or other liquid utilized in the extinguisher and to `prevent `the'rustingaction which would take place overaperiod of time. n

vIn accordance with `thepresent invention are extinguisher is provided invwhich the use of brass and non-ferrous metals is practically eliminated,

.and in Whichat most only a `small quantity of such metal `is utilized. g The extinguisher is `fully. pro` tected against rusting or, other Vcorrosition and deterioration, and is adapted to have long life with assurance of being in proper operative condltion` at alltirnes.` `It issimple in construction, relatively n light weight, andiis arrangedfor ready portability so thatitV may be. handled; wheniilled with liquid, having adequate strength to resist the normal shocks and rough usageiencountered in normal operation.` f ,i t l The extinguisher is further constructedwith a filling opening of substantial sizelocated adia-` cent the peripheryof thecasingso that if v.de

sired the extinguisher `may `he filled by .dipping thecasinginto.` a body of water. Simple and sturdy hinge means are provided for guiding and supporting the closureiorfthe opening, making it possible to quickly assemble, release,4 orrepair the closure in the eventthatfthat is*` necessary.

is a ycontinuation of copendng` Likewise al1 parts of the extinguisher construction areadapted for ready replacement or repair, in

, the event that such becomes necessary.

Referring to the drawings which disclose a preferred embodiment of. the invention, the extinguisher casing'is shown at I0 preferably iny the form of a generally 'cylindrical shell having a" series of rolled beads II formed therein for thew portionA 28 of the discharge tting. The tube 35 purpose of adding strength. The tank'is preferably of hotgalvanized steel, satisfactory results having been secured using steel of 20 gauge.y While the shell may be riveted, it'isj preferred to weld the overlapping edges.

A bottom end closure I2 isy received within the one end and stands above the bottom edge of the casing forming a peripheral flange I3." ther strengthen the bottoml of "the" extinguisher, a band I4 is fastened in place on the outer pe- Tor furv is given a coating of vitreous enamel on both its inner and outer surface, being dippedv in the enamel soA that all portions of the tube, including the @ne but not the threaded pcreqn. are fully coated 'and protected. Ihelthreaded part may be covered by a suitable fitting' during the dipping or` the threaded end may be wiped clean, to keep the threaded section clear of enamel.

The top closure member I5 is preferably formed with an inwardly extending annular ilange 38, andv a rubber Asleeve 39 is received around the external peripheryl of the tube to guide the same through the flange 38 and to prevent contact between the n flange and the enamel surface. To further strengthen and provide adequate support for the pump-cylinder ya'rin'g 40 of relatively heavy metal riphery. Similarly a top closure I5 is received'.V

over the top'end of the casing, both end closures Y and band beingpreferably welded or' otherwisev upwardly and 'are provided with a central portion permanently curvedk in agenerally semi-cylindrical form. This provides a hand grip' portion 22 having a convenientlyrounded'ilower surface to iit thev hand of the user. The edges `of the grip are turned inwardly {towardfeachoth'er `on the top of the grip, forming an elongated yrecess'or groove 23, the purpose of which will be hereinafter described. 'Where' two such handles are provided, they are locatedon diametrically opposite sides of the extinguisher as shown in Fig. 3.v

The extinguisher'c'oniprises a liquid pump which is preferably arranged for a' twc'i-wayV action. that is, to provide for pressure delivery of the liquid on each up and` down stroke thereof. The pump comprisesV a discharge fitting 25lwhich has an enlarged discharge chamber vZIiformed therein which communicates with' the discharge nipple 21, formed as an integral part of the fitting, the nipple beingadapted rto receivel a exible .discharge hose. The fitting `25 i-s threaded at its lower end as shown atl28', Aand is provided with an outwardly extending'flange 29 which. seats upon and is demountably fastened to the top'su'rface of the end cover vI5 by screws 39. Further the Vupper end ofthe fitting is counterbored as indicatedat 3Ifand is formed rwith a shoulder 32 which is for they purpose ofreceiving the packing members to be hereinafter described. The fitting is likewise provided with external threads 33 at its upper end. i 'f This fitting is suitably made 0f a cast iron construction whichis then. subjected to `a sherardizing treatmentin order-to `render it rustproof and prevent any'deterioration `as a result of prolonged material 'is'secure'd' in place on the undersidev of the cover, and in position to, surround the depending iiange 38, the screws 3B extending into the ring'.`- Thisf constructic'm' therefore provides for reinforcement of the end wall of the" casing and provides armfyet somewhatfiiexiblesupiort for they upper. end of the't p urnp cylinder; .'.If "desired'a fquantity of `liquid cement may be applied over the rubber-sleeve 39".in"order to'comple'tely protect and seal the threadedportion of the pump cylinder,-'an`d to' prevent any possibility Aof the' liquid contents i of theextinguisher from coming in contact therewith. The enamel'coating on the inside and outside of the fcylinder is indicated at 4I and 42,respectively. f

Itis found to *be important-in such an ex-4 tinguisher construction'to' provide for someflexing or yielding movement of "the cylinder butto properly guide andsupport thesa'me so thatitis not subject to mi'salign'ment, nor`- toistrains which f might be imposed thereupon to cause objectionable bending'orifracture `of the enameled surv'diOfaces vThe upper `endfof'the'Cylinder' is guided contact with the liquidi 4"Inthisvway the use `of brass or other non-'ferrous' metal is `avoided and a satisfactory corrosion resistantk construction is provided.` 9.1,@ 1,

The pump cylinderfisfshownat 35v anclisf formed of a steel tube'the .upper end ofwhichjis threaded asshown at 36 to Abfreceived within the threaded and'supported ras described above, and'in some cases this'top support maybe sufficiently and StableleaVin-g the lower" 'end-of the' cylinder free of contact with the interior of the casing. Preferably, however, an `additional support'is lprovided which islocated rernotz'aly'fromy the top support and'adjace'nt the bottorn'offthe extinguisher oasing s'onthatnthe twofspa'c'ed' supports will provide the' proper'guidingfand reinforcing action, per; mittinga limited' relativemovement of the pump in thec-asing`,as`flinthe'event ofthe casing receiving a severe blow, but preventing the transmission of shocks or severe strains to the pump, and avoiding damagethereto which'might result from any misalignmentoffthe structure.

` For this'purposethelower enfd' closure member I 2- is provided withft a bracket 45 which is welded tothe inner face of the'closureland provided with an upwardly extending portion 46. A

central .annularl downturned Ysection` 41 provides' a guiding ,and 'supporting area, anda rubber sleeve 48 is receivejdjfbetweenlthe flange' 41 and a series of peforationsnilll jtherein into'A which' the rubber sleeve 48 visjjpressedto''yielldably retain thesame onthe end of the cylinder'.V

Likewise Vcarried by the lower end of ithevpuinp cylinder 35'isthe lower pumpvalve assembly indicated. generally lat35il.` ,This constructionfis anextent vas to withdraw'the pump piston from the cylinder and into the chamberZS. -Such y means comprises a coiled spring member 90 which is received loosely around the piston rod, andl supported. against the pumpplunger 10.' Such spring is preferably of steel rand is provided with` a suitable non-corrosive and non-rusting coating so thatl it 'can remain in vthe body ofv the'liquid without deterioration. Satisfactory results havev been secured using a cadmium plated steel spring.

The spring 9G is of such size thatit comes intov contact with the lo-Wer side of shoulder 320i the discharge fitting before the pistonfl has reached the end-of its upward travel. As shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, initial contact is rmade when the piston is still well within the` cylinder. There is thus a preliminary checking of the upward move-y ment upon which further compression -of the spring is stopped Without `however causing'objectionable shock. The spring characteristic is prefe erably such that even when fully compressed,-it

' still'has suillcient length tokeep the plunger in engagement with the cylinder; yhence even with a maximum upward movementof the pump handle, it is notpossible to actually disengagethe plunger from the end of the cylinder.

yIt is desirable to avoid possibility ofsuch withciprocating motion, the pump will not/bemisaligned Aand will not result in placing unusualy or excessive stress upon the piston rod or forcing the same into Contact With'the metall parts lof the packing gland. Itwill further be apparent that possibility of damage to the cylinder itself, and

inthe same to the upper end thereof is avoided marmer. l f

Inasmuoh as the casingv is made of relatively light weightmaterial, and because the operation of the pump places substantial strain upon-the end member, vsuch upper yend I :is preferably strengthened and reinforced. For this purpose a steel strap loll is fixed to the underside ofthe' closureby suitable meansv such as spotwelds indicated at IDI. The pump is located eccentrically of the extinguisher casing, andthe strap is pref.- erably also located somewhateccentrically on the opposite side of the center, extendinggacross the entire width of the end member. Asshown, the one edge lZ of the reinforcing disc 40 maybe trimmed off if desired to,A provide -for'the proper location of these parts, depending upon the actual physical dimensions of the structure. i The filling opening for the extinguisheris inf dicated at m5, andas shown has one surface Whichclosely approaches the. periphery of the casing. This makes, it possible to ll the extinguisher by means of dipping the'entire casing into a shallow body of liquid, if that should be desired.

The closure for the 'llingl opening isl inthe form of a'sheet metal pieceVIII) having ysuitable peripheral flanges l ll whi'chfare adapted to seat upon upturned flanges rII2 formed in theend member. A handle :I I3 is provided Tivvhichis se curedgto .the CIOSureatop'pSite .ends bymeans Of` Welding or the-like.: 'i

Inorder to provide' for-the hinge action of the; closure, a simple and effective.' construction is providedycomprising a' bent yWire II5 which is looped to be received. under ay'boltr Ilthreaded intoand through the reinforcing strap [00, on the underside of theend member. The wire eX- tendsein oppositedirections from" the central looped portion andpassesupwardly through spaced apertures in the end closure, I5, the reinforcing strap being notched-y as shown at II1 yto -provide forsuchupward passage..- `The1.two ends ofthe wire are formedwith loop portions `I I8 of relatively large radius, and pass `downwardly into the body of the tank, throughenlargedapertures II 9 formed inthe closuretl I0. In this Iway the closure is guided and supported .for lifting or rotating hinge-like Amovementfrom its closed posi-Y tion .to an openjpo'sitionwhere y.itgprovides `an opening of. substantial size for-the llingnof the ceasing..V Itllwill likewise `be apparent-that if desired the wire member could loe-.carriedby the Iclosure and operate vthroughapertures in-the end member. The'construction shown is desired for the reason thatit permits oftheassembly of.l the entire. casingconstruction. including -rthe `reinforcing strap, priorto}thefgalvanizing oper-ay tion. AIn this Wayther constructionof the assemj bledvcasingis first' galvanizedthe wirefand the closure `'cover being separately galvanized.^ Thereafterthe'closurelparts are assembled,ythe wire being bolted vto the reinforcing bar4 after the latterhas been Welded in place and fully protected byvgalvanizing. It willthusbe apparent that the i galvanizing and protecting surfacel is not disrupted bythe necesstyftocarry out any welding operation subsequent to the application` of the galvanizingQl *l ,e Y. Y

In orderto provide afoot rest -for holding the casing inproper operative position, acurved plate L20. is provided which is lsecured tofthe lower edge of the. casing by means of a. hinge member IBI. e This hinge is preferably of. thepiano hinge type, the plate IZilj having a .flat end |22 .adapted to be brought against the .plate I23 secured to band I4, in the lowered or operative .position to prevent further downward-swinging thereof.

vTheplate I 2 8 also has a downwardly curved lip |24 which in thevupper yposition provides a convenient means for contact with thatoe, providingl for readilymoving the plate to its lower or operative position. And whenloweredQit will be seen that the lip portion |24` extends to substantially .the same ground levelr as the flange I3, thisvjiheingY desirablefwhere the e'xtinguis'heris being used 'upon soft v that the lip |24 Will flange ofthe extinguisher.

* A flexible discharge hose I3@ is fastened to the discharge nipplev 21, the hosepreferably having a considerable length to permit of its use at a point some distancelremovedfrom the actual-1o? ground or thelike, toassure v penetrateintothe ground to substantiallythe same extent as the mainbase againstzlpickiiig` upV dirt or any` foreignimatter Whichwould interfere with itsproper discharge,

the` hose at all times being readilyavailable and immediately removable as. a result?` of the yielding actionofthe hose itself in being .withdrawn from the `handle grip.` `Thus a :simple i. and effective@ support for. the! hose is .provided while assuring a nrm and solid handleconstruction for the handling ofthe extinguisher casing. i z` 1`. A fire extinguisher of the character described comprising a casing for receiving a quantity of fire extinguishing liquid, a, discharge ntting fastened to one end of said casing,a metal pump cylinder extending through the end of said casing and having one end received within said fitting, said cylinder having an inner and an outer coating of enamel, means on the opposite end of said casing for supporting and securing the other end` of said cylinder against movement relative to the casing, resilient protective members interposed between the enameled surface of within the lower endof said cylinder and includingy anw` inwardly extendingemetal` chamber, a

resilient sleeve for .securing saidchamber within thelowerendof said cylinder in spaced relation withrespect to the inner wall of said zcylinder,

.anda` valve .body of inert `material supported within said valve chamber, anda piston rod operable'in said `cylinder and. extending outwardly through Athe .top `of said discharge fitting.

4, Areextinguisher of thecharaeter` described comprisingafcasing for receiving a quantity of re extinguishing liquid, a, discharge tting car,- riedby: oneend of `said .zcasing on the outside thereof;` a .pump xcylinder` passing. `through said end of-c the casing and receivedwithin said ntting; said cylinder having an inner and an outer enameled coating,` a bracket carried by the. opposite A end. of said. casing `and receiving the lower end of said cylinder therein to guide and secure the same against movement, a valve assembly received within the lower. end of said cylinder and including an inwardly extending metal chamber, a resilient sleeve for securing said chamber within the lower end` of said cylinder inlspaced relation with respect to Vthe inner wall of said cylinder, and a valve body of inert material supported withinsaid valve chamber, and apiston rod operable' in. said cylinder and extending outsaid cylinder and said casing at each end thereof to prevent direct contact therebetween, a hollow metal piston rod extending through said discharge iitting, and means to operate said piston rod from the exterior of said casing, said piston rod also having a rust resisting coating of enamel on its inner and outer surfaces. y

2. A fire extinguisher of the character described comprising a casing for receiving a quantity of fire extinguishing liquid, a discharge fitting having an enlarged discharge chamber fastened to one end of said casing, means for reinforcing the end of said casing to reduce objecticnable flexing thereof in-use, a pump cylinder having its upper end extending through said casing and received within said tting, said pump cylinder having a coating of enamel on the inner and outer surfaces thereof, a resilientimeniber interposed between cylinder and the wall of said casing, a; metal bracket carriedby the opposite end of said casing and adapted to receive and support the inner end of said cylinderin spaced relation above the bottom wall of said casing, a resilient member inter-` posed between `said bracket and said enameled surface of said cylinder, a piston rod extending :through said ttingto the outer surfaceof said casing, and means to operate said piston rod in said cylinder t0 discharge uid upwardly` into and .through said discharge chamber.

said enameled surface of said the lower end of said wardly through the top of said discharge fitting. 5. A fire extinguisher of the character described comprising a casing for receiving a quantity of nre extinguishing liquid, a discharge fitting `fastened to` one end of said casing, a pump cylinder secured tosaid iitting, said discharge tting having a discharge chamber above said cylinder of larger ydiameter than said cylinder, a piston` rod extending upwardly through an opening in said tting, said cylinder and said piston rod having a rust resisting surface coating of enamel thereon, a packing gland for said piston rod located above said tting opening and having metal members spaced from said piston rod for pressing packing material into yieldable sealing contact with said enamelcoatedsurface, a piston carried by said piston. rod in operative relation with saidf cylinder, said discharge chamber having a length axially of said .cylinder sufficient to receive `said entire piston therein allowing wi-thdrawalthereof from said cylinder, and yieldable means operable between said piston and the wall of said discharge chamber for limiting the withdrawing movement of said piston rod to maintain said piston in proper operative engagement in said cylinder preventing the cooking of said piston rod and resultingpbjectionable contact of the enamel coated surface thereof with the metal`imembers of saidpacking gland.

6. A fire extinguisher of the character described l ceiving a quantity of fire extinguishing liquid and having an end wall of sheet metal construction, said end wall of said casing having a filling opening of substantial size therein, said end wall being adapted to support a pump thereon having a piston rod extending outwardly through said end wall, means to operate said piston rod vfrom the exterior of said casing to develop a discharge pressure for said liquid, a relatively stiff reinforcing member secured to .the end wall of said casing out of alignment with said pump and said iilling opening to prevent objectionable flexing of said end wall during operation of saidpurnp, `a closure for said filling opening, and means providing for the hinging action of said closure from closed to open position while preventing removal thereof from said casing including spaced loop members engaging in apertures'formed in said closure, and means for supporting said loop mem@ bers .on said relatively stiff reinforcing member lto maintain the desired spacing thereof during operation of said pump means. t,

7. A fire extinguisher of the character described comprising a casing for receiving a quantity of re extinguishing liquid, a discharge tting fastened to one end of said casing, a pump cylinder connected yto said fitting, a hollow metaly piston rod extending through said fitting, means tooperate said piston rod from ,the exterior of said `casing, said hollow metal piston rod having a smooth rustl resisting coating of enamel on its'inner and outer surfaces, the lower end of said piston rod being open and having a recessed portion therein,

a piston of resilient material engaging the wall of said cylinder and having a neck portion received inwardly of the open end of said piston rod,v and a sleeve member extending internally of said piston forming a passage for the flow of liquid therethrough and compressing said resilient material against said recessed portion to retain said piston in operative position on the lower end of said enameled piston rod.

8. A re extinguisher as defined in claim 7 in which a valve body is carried on the upper end of said sleeve member, the sleeve forming a Avalve seat for the valve body in the operation ofl the pump.

ROSCOE C. IDDINGS. EDWARD R. BORK. HORACE G. WILLIAMS. 

